Over 2,000 children in Ireland are waiting to access mental health services

Thousands of children are currently waiting to gain access to mental health services.

At present 2,498 children waiting to access to mental health services, while one-in-four of all children and adults referred to these services are not seen within the recommended 12 weeks. The problem stems from a lack of available psychiatrists to treat patients adding to the long wait times experienced by patients across Ireland. Recent HSE data highlights the fact that accessing mental health services is an issue for all age groups, from children, adolescents to adults and older and vulnerable adults.

Recent HSE figures for Q1. 2019 show:

2,498 children are waiting to access mental health services; 3,764 adults were waiting to access mental health services; For both categories, one-in-four of those referred by their GP to mental health services were not seen within the HSE’s recommended 12-week period. According to an HSE report from October 2018 children and adolescent services have about 50 per cent of the specialist staff they need, this is also the case for older people’s mental health services, while adult services have 25 per cent less than is needed. IHCA President, Dr Donal O'Hanlon, Consultant Psychiatrist commenting on the crisis noted;

"There is a lack of joined up thinking currently in the delivery of mental health services. The resourcing of our mental health services is ‘in limbo’, because of this, patients cannot access the range of talk and behavioural therapies that should be available to them in a modern mental health service."

If your child is one of those affected you can contact youth mental health charity Jigsaw for advice and support.